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Swimsuits Optional

We stumbled upon one of those outdoor water play things downtown yesterday. I know some people like to “plan” their vacations with lists of “sights to see” and “must-visit hot spots.” They research and send away for brochures. They bookmark sights and book hotels in advance. We like to stumble. We drive through neighborhoods and ask about the best ice cream joint. We eavesdrop in coffee houses. We go to the library and pretend we’re locals. The folks at toy stores always know the best places for dining out with kids.

So, we weren’t exactly expecting the awesome outdoor water play thing. Therefore, Piper didn’t have her bathing suit.

“Can I play?” Piper asked her dad.

“Of course. Go on in,” he said.

“But I’ll get my clothes wet?”

“So? They’ll dry.”

Piper tiptoed near the fun. Cautiously.

“But I need a swimsuit,” she said.

“We don’t have one, P. Just go in.”

Swimsuits are always more of a suggestion than a rule, right? I mean, when I dress Piper up in her star studded bikini with matching sun hat, it’s really only for the cuteness factor. And the photo op. She usually peels it off anyway.

Piper continued to feign concern. We didn’t take it that seriously. If you’ve gotten to know Piper through this blog, you probably don’t either. The girls got guts. Crazy courage. Rules schmules.

We like to stumble, too. Especially in other countries. The only thing we plan are the meals because Hubs is a connoisseur of the edible things and has such a strong opinion about it. So we stumble onto fun things in between eating a bite. It’s a pretty good mix.

And if it makes Piper feel better, EB would’ve just stripped and run out there. Wait, maybe that’s supposed to make YOU feel better (at least P wasn’t nude)? Piper was brave for trusting you that sometimes, indeed, we just run out and get our clothes wet.

Asheville is the easiest place I’ve ever stumbled for meals. It’s never been so easy to eat vegetarian. Piper’s dad has food allergies, though, so we do have to plan meals a bit less spontaneous (as in do they have a chef that can make something to order), but it usually just means better food.

And a day in which Piper wears clothing is something to celebrate! She wore her pajama bottoms all day yesterday, but then she came running into the kitchen when I was making dinner and shouted “Mom! I heard the ice cream truck. Can I go out? I even put on underwear!”